Is Doing Household Chores Related to Executive Functioning?
This research update examines two recent studies examining the link between executive functioning and involvement in household chores. Executive functioning refers to cognitive processes such as the ability to shift focus between tasks, manipulate and access temporary information, and inhibit or suppress irrelevant information. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD, experience delays in executive…
Read MoreLW4K: Turning Game-Based Learning into Executive Function and Social-Emotional Learning Skills
Imagine if Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox, and other popular video games could be used to help children with ADHD improve their executive function and social-emotional learning skills at school, at home, and in life. According to Rhode Island clinical psychologist Randy Kulman, PhD, they actually can—and he developed a program dedicated to doing just that. Known…
Read MoreParents of Very Complex Kids
Underestimated, Undervalued, and Underutilized Complex kids are children, teens, or young adults who struggle with some aspects of life, learning, or both. They may not have a diagnosis at all; they may have a single diagnosis, such as dyslexia or ADHD; or they may present with more than one coexisting condition, even three or more.…
Read MoreTEACH Me ADHD
The brainchild of behavioral pediatrician Nerissa Bauer, TEACH Me ADHD is a fun and interactive eight-week virtual course. Dr. Bauer designed the course for children with ADHD aged eight through twelve and their parents. During the virtual course, the children become “junior detectives” while the parents become “senior detectives.” Both children and parents learn about…
Read MoreWill ADHD Symptoms Improve with Marijuana Use?
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/vxgcat/Will_ADHD_Symptoms_Improve_with_Marijuana_Use_EDajdxt.mp3 Listen to the full recording. People reporT THAt MARIJUANA USE helps to improve their ADHD symptoms. But does it really help, or does it mask a person’s ability to care about their problems rather than work to solve them? What are the benefits and downsides to using marijuana if you have ADHD?…
Read MoreStimming and Fidgeting to Calm and Focus
Maybe you’ve lost count of the times you’ve told your child to stop biting their nails, bouncing their legs, or twirling their hair. What seems like annoying behavior may actually serve a purpose, like helping your child to self-soothe or increase focus. “I don’t even realize I’m doing it,” says an adult who has ADHD…
Read MoreAce the Break: Avoid the “Summer Slide”
How to Prevent Kids with ADHD from Falling Down the “Summer Slide” This Year Each day, I see the lingering impacts of the pandemic play out as parents contact our practice, wondering if our tutors or executive function coaches can help. The most common concerns are among parents of students with ADHD and weak…
Read MoreRemote Learning for Children with ADHD
How are children with ADHD faring with the shift to remote learning during the pandemic? What are parental factors that enhance child learning and well-being? This update on recent research reviews two studies. The first study found no negative short-term impact on academic outcomes for children with ADHD with the shift to remote learning, although…
Read MoreInattentive ADHD in Boys
What comes to mind when you think of a boy with ADHD? One who is impulsive, blurts out answers in school, fidgets, and seems to be in constant motion? This was my viewpoint, until my son was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. Parenting a child with this type of ADHD forced me to change my perception…
Read MoreCompensatory and Recovery Services for Students with ADHD
Closed schools. Endless virtual meetings. A classroom at your kitchen table. Sound familiar? It is difficult to think of a single facet of school that the COVID-19 pandemic did not change for students, families, and school staff. As schools have transitioned back to in-person instruction, parents (and legal guardians) and school staff are noticing the…
Read MoreReading Comprehension and Executive Function
Learning disabilities and ADHD often go hand in hand. According to Thomas E. Brown, PhD, approximately 45 percent of those with ADHD have coexisting learning disabilities. The most common learning disability of students with ADHD is dyslexia, characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities (International Dyslexia…
Read MoreScreen Time and Sleep During the Pandemic
What kinds of difficulties did children and adolescents with ADHD experience with screen use and sleep during the pandemic? This research update reviews two recent studies. The first study found that compared to those who had less problematic digital media use, youth with ADHD who had more problematic use showed worse attention levels, more…
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